The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Once Upon a Summertime

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 29, 2023, is “Once Upon a Summertime.”

About This Song

“Once Upon a Summertime” was written in 1954 by Michel Legrand and Eddie Barclay; the French lyrics were written by Eddie Marnay and the English lyrics were written by Johnny Mercer. Blossom Dearie recorded the first English version of “Once Upon a Summertime” in 1958 for her album of the same name. Tony Bennett, Miles Davis, and Sarah Vaughan recorded it in 1963, followed by Bill Evans in 1964.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Once Upon a Summertime” on October 19, 1962, for the album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. It was arranged by Marty Manning.

“Once Upon a Summertime,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: You Must Believe In Spring

The song of the day for Thursday, June 22, 2023, is “You Must Believe In Spring.”

About This Song

“You Must Believe In Spring” was written in 1967 by Michel Legrand for the 1967 French film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, which starred Catherine Deneuve. Jacques Demy, who directed the film, wrote the original French lyrics. The English lyrics were written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. “You Must Believe In Spring” has been widely recorded by artists including Sylvia Syms, Barbra Streisand, and Bill Evans, in a posthumous release of an album with the same name, featuring sessions with Eddie Gomez and Eliot Zigmund.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “You Must Believe In Spring” in September 1976 for their second album, Together Again, which was released in 1977.

“You Must Believe In Spring,” as well as Together Again is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: You Must Believe in Spring

The song of the day for Sunday, March 19, 2023, is “You Must Believe in Spring.”

About This Song

“You Must Believe In Spring” was written by Michel Legrand, with English lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for the 1967 French film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, which starred Catherine Deneuve. “You Must Believe In Spring” has been widely recorded by artists including Sylvia Syms, Barbra Streisand, and Bill Evans, in a posthumous release of an album with the same name, featuring sessions with Eddie Gomez and Eliot Zigmund.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “You Must Believe In Spring” in September 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977.

“You Must Believe in Spring” as well as Together Again is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: How Do You Keep The Music Playing?

The song of the day for Monday, March 13, 2023, is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing.”

About This Song

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing” was written by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for the 1982 movie Best Friends. The song has become a popular standard and has had many fine recordings, including those by Frank Sinatra (who encouraged Bennett to sing this song), Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Do You Keep The Music Playing” live on September 15, 2016, at Radio Center Music Hall for a celebration of his 90th birthday. An album of the celebration was released as Tony Bennett Celebrates 90.

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing,” as well as Tony Bennett Celebrates 90 is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Mr. Bennett singing “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” from the concert:

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Song of the Day: How Do You Keep The Music Playing

The song of the day for Sunday, February 28, 2023, is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing.”

About This Song

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing” was written by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, in 1982 for the movie Best Friends. The initial recording was a duet by Patti Austin and James Ingram, which became a hit single in 1983. It was one of three songs with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman that were nominated that year for an Academy Award for Best Song (though the award went to “Up Where We Belong” from the movie An Officer and a Gentleman). The song has become a popular standard and has had many fine recordings, including those by Frank Sinatra (who encouraged Bennett to sing this song), Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis and Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett and George Michael, and, most recently, Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin recorded “How Do You Keep The Music Playing” in 2011 for the album Duets II. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing,” as well as Duets II is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the video from the recording session: